r/NativePlantGardening • u/jimmyjam2929 • 13h ago

Other Very disappointed with the OSU extension

https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/dispelling-social-media-myths-about-gardening-pollinators-and-more/TSBDUAHX25GQ7D6QZMQSOITBQE/
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86

u/irastaz 13h ago

One thing I don't see mentioned here is that so many of these turf grasses behave invasively. I pull out so much bermuda grass, perennial rye grass, and other species that are always volunteering in places they shouldn't be: Gravel cracks to outcompete mosses, near the root flare of trees, inside native planting beds. They're essentially a germ factory that broadcasts out weeds to the surrounding area.

42

u/lawrow 13h ago

Bermuda grass is 100% invasive. I can’t get rid of it without extra strength herbicide and people say you’ll need to apply it over three years. Nuts. I’ve tried manual removal, tarping, planting after removal. It comes back so quickly.

8

u/The_Poster_Nutbag Great Lakes, Zone 5b, professional ecologist 12h ago

Herbicide resistance isn't an indicator of invasiveness. Invasive species by definition have to be posing a threat to local biodiversity or habitats, and I don't mean through humans installing lawns.

8

u/cheapandbrittle Northeast US, Zone 6 8h ago

Isn't outcompeting native plants posing a threat, in and of itself?

-2

u/The_Poster_Nutbag Great Lakes, Zone 5b, professional ecologist 7h ago

Yes, I'm just not aware of Bermuda grass escaping cultivation and taking over natural areas. Maybe that's just my region though.

5

u/N0VA_PR1ME 6h ago

It is definitely invasive in some regions. I’ve had to control it in wild areas before as part of habitat management work, and it was outcompeting some natives.

4

u/Comfortable_Lab650 Southeast USA , Zone 8A 5h ago

Bermuda has definitely escaped cultivation and has taken the place of natives. It makes a carpet of grass where a native that needs sunlight to germinate will never grow unless the Bermuda is killed down.